Monday, 6 February 2017

‘CINDY ON FIRE’ BY BURT HIRSCHFELD

I’ve been meaning
to focus on Burt Hirschfeld’s work for quite some time. But since life
sometimes takes you on a different path, one you least expect (don’t ask),
well, here we are, it’s 2017 and still no Hirschfeld blog entry. That is, until
now. The novel I chose to discuss is his 1972 CINDY ON FIRE. It’s an unofficial sequel to his mega-hit FIRE
ISLAND focusing primarily on a secondary character from the original novel.
Those hoping to rekindle with the rest of the well-drawn bunch will just have
to look elsewhere since they are scarcely mentioned in this one.

Like the first
book, CINDY ON FIRE is a lengthy
offering: a 500 plus page romp of sordid lives of the flower power era, or
should we say "life" since Cindy, the promiscuous teen from FIRE
ISLAND, who is now all grown up and still promiscuous, is the sole sufferer
this time around. And suffer she does. Used and abused in every way, not to
mention on every continent, Hirschfeld spares no expenses in degrading her in
all sorts of uncompromising situations only found in sleazy novels. And make no
mistake this is sleaze with a capital S. But great sleaze, the kind that
beckons despite your good judgement. Just as in his previous novels, the author
has more than a knack for grabbing his readers beyond the explicit sex scenes.
His strong narrative, plus his fun attempts at pseudo-analyzing his protagonist
always makes for a breezy read.

The one thing
missing, however, is the sometimes heartfelt moment needed to make Cindy a more
fleshed out character. Nevertheless, CINDY
ON FIRE is still one heck of a time waster and should be appreciated for
exactly what it is. So go on, grab a copy and follow this young woman's journey
of hardship and self-discovery. You'll definitely come back for more. That,
this reviewer promises you.